Independent and Dependent Variables Answer Key

1. A dependent variable is:

The result you are measuring

The variable that the scientist changes

The amount of something you add to a mixture

The group you do not change

2. A botanist wants to see how different colored light waves influence the growth of pea plants. She
puts the same number of seeds into three identical pots with the same kind and amount of soil. She
then gives them the same amount of water every three days for the length of the experiment. One pot
is placed into a dark windowless closet. Another pot is left on the windowsill, and the third is placed
under a lamp with a green bulb. She records the height of each plant every day for three months.

What is the independent variable in this experiment?

the amount of soil in the pots

the color of the light given to the plants

the amount of water given to the plants

the amount of time the experiment was conducted

3. This is the factor in an experiment that can change if other factors are changed:

the independent variable

the constant

hypothesis

the dependent variable

4. Based on the hypothesis below, what is the independent variable?

If carrots are eaten daily, then there will be an improvement in vision.

improvement in vision
5. In an investigation you put a beaker of water in the sun and measure the temperature every 10
minutes for 1 hour.

What is the dependent variable?

6. A student studies three types of bread. He measures the time it takes to grow mold.

Independent Variable:

Dependent Variable:

7. The masses of the rats were measured after they were fed different types of cheese.

Independent Variable:

Dependent Variable:

8. A student changes the number of hours he studies for a test to see how it affects his test score.

Independent Variable:

Dependent Variable:

9. Determine the independent and dependent variables from the following hypothesis.

Eating breakfast in the morning increases test scores in math.

10. Determine the independent and dependent variables from the following hypothesis.

The more grams of salt a person eats, the higher their blood pressure.